Imperial Grandeur
Explore St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city of history, grand architecture, and extravagant decoration. From imperial palaces and magnificent churches to elegant canals and historic streets, there is an impressive sense of scale and detail almost everywhere you look. It is also a city that involves plenty of walking, but that became part of the experience, with something inspiring around almost every corner.
Why I Enjoy St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city that naturally slows me down. Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, I found myself walking through historic streets, crossing canals, and stopping often to admire the architecture. Every corner seemed to reveal another grand building or beautifully decorated interior that made the visit memorable.
Check out my photography in
St. Petersburg Visual Stories
for more inspiration and places I have explored.
We flew from Bangkok to Moscow via Doha before continuing to St. Petersburg, our first destination in Russia. After spending a few days exploring almost all the major highlights, we flew back to Moscow for the next part of our journey.
One of my friends arranged entrance tickets online in advance for the major museums and attractions, which saved us time and made getting around much easier. I would recommend doing the same, especially for popular sites, and keeping a translation app handy when needed.
Before travelling, we had heard some concerns about street theft and service in Russia, but our experience was entirely positive. We felt comfortable exploring St. Petersburg and encountered no problems during our stay. More than anything, it was a trip where I could simply be present—walking, observing, and taking in the history, art, and extraordinary architecture around me.
What to Do
St. Petersburg has so much history, art, and architecture that a few days can easily be filled. Many of the major sights are within the historic centre, and walking between them is part of discovering the city.
- State Hermitage Museum & Winter Palace – One of the city’s essential stops, combining an enormous art collection with the magnificent interiors of the former imperial palace. Allow plenty of time to explore.
- Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood – One of St. Petersburg’s most distinctive landmarks, known for its colourful domes and richly detailed mosaic interior.
- Palace Square – The grand heart of the city, surrounded by monumental architecture including the Winter Palace and the General Staff Building.
- St. Isaac’s Cathedral – An impressive landmark with an elaborate interior and a huge golden dome. The colonnade also offers panoramic views across the city.
- Peter and Paul Fortress – The historic birthplace of St. Petersburg, located on an island in the Neva River and home to the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
- Nevsky Prospekt – Walk along the city’s main avenue to experience St. Petersburg beyond its museums, passing historic buildings, churches, cafés, and shops.
- Explore the Canals – Walk along the waterways and across historic bridges, or take a canal cruise for a different perspective of the city’s architecture.
- Peterhof Palace – A worthwhile excursion outside the city centre, best known for its grand palace, extensive gardens, and spectacular fountains.
Here are St. Petersburg’s
Most Instagrammable Spots:
St. Petersburg is exceptionally photogenic, from extravagant palace interiors to colourful churches and elegant canals. These were among the places that best captured the character and grandeur of the city.
- Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood – Colourful onion domes, intricate façades, and an extraordinary mosaic-covered interior.
- Winter Palace & Hermitage Museum – Grand façades outside and endless photographic details inside, from sweeping staircases to gilded halls and chandeliers.
- Palace Square – A wide-angle view of St. Petersburg’s imperial architecture, especially impressive with the Winter Palace as the backdrop.
- St. Isaac’s Cathedral – Photograph the monumental exterior and golden dome, or head up to the colonnade for views across the historic centre.
- St. Petersburg Canals & Bridges – Reflections, historic façades, bridges, and waterways offer a quieter side of the city away from the grand monuments.
- Peterhof Palace & Fountains – Formal gardens, gilded fountains, and the Grand Cascade make this one of the most striking photography locations around St. Petersburg.
